Today one of my neighbours came to me and told me a few guys were trying to break into my 82 300sd . I have no idea if they were just looking to steal the three cents in the center cosole , take my 10 year old Alpine tape deck or take it all along with the car. So anyway, now i'm a little concerned. I don't have an alarm or a club or anything. And to be honest my SD is the only thing of any value that I have. Needless to say I would hate to loose it. Anyway what i'm looking to find out is how difficult would it be for a couple of looser asshats to steal my ride and what might I be able to disconnect under the hood outside of the obvious things to keep my baby from being stolen.Also, if anyone feels a need to describe how to break into and steal an 82 could you please keep that info to yourself and not post it.Thanks ,Mike

Unfortunately, It's not very difficult to break into any car. If they really wanted to steal the car, that wouldn't be very hard either. I have an alarm that, hopefully, would discourage the casual thief. I don't know what else to do, other than keep it inside a secure garage.

You could disconnect one of the accelarator linkages. Or remove the accelerator rod that runs from the firewall to the valve cover. Or disconnect the vacuum line from the ignition switch to the shutoff valve, then plug it in to a "hot" vacuum source. Or install a shut-off valve in a fuel line.

I doubt they wanted to steal the car, besides being "odd" (who said diesels are odd? well they aren't on every block, are they?) they make a lot of racket when started and are not a fast getaway car, compared to a Viper or 'Vette

They were probably checking out the stereo, those are easy to steal.
At the minimum I would get some ALARM decals for the rear windows (the fixed windows) and a flashing LED for the dash. A real alarm doesn't have to be expensive or difficult to install though and would act as a real deterrrent if it worked, and in that case leave the doors unlocked as they usualy break into the car using the rear windows. But be aware that some dumb thieves have been known to break into a car even though it was unlocked!

Last alternative is get a big bad dog and chain him near the car. Don't feed him either so he is out for some real meat when they come back!

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

Autozone or Advance had a battery disconnect with 2 keys for security. kinda kool!
you could put the switch on the starter cable to prevent starting it without the key.
just a thought. I am planning to put mine in somewhere, but it is to keep the battery from dying overnight from a stray short somewhere. ( I gotta fix this thing up!@))$**@#)
John

Disconnect the accelerator rod that goes to the IP. There's still resistance on the pedal so it feels like it's hooked up, but without additional fueling the engine can only idle.

A good theft prevention idea would be a kill switch. Place a button under your seat or on the passenger side of the center console and wire it directly from wire on the starter (Not from the wire under the dash).

Another idea is a magnetic switch hidden under the dash panel. A magnet placed on the dash would complete the circut.

A sawed-off shotgun, mounted under the driver's seat pointing straight up. The seat spring is then wired directly to the trigger mechanism.

Just be careful and don't forget about it........

Bob
Booby-trapped '82 300D

Well, your average car thief jack-ass isn't going to know that he has to let the glow plugs run so they'll be sitting there cranking it for a while.

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"spreading a trail of obnoxious where ever we go"
1981 300sd w/ 341,500 miles

http://www.wecrash.com/pics/ddda_banner.gif

That would be pretty awesome, and effective towards removing theives from the area!!!

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Are you by chance related to Wil E. Coyote?

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500

this is a very very bad idea!

nothing to kid about.

first, the odds of killing someone that is not stealing your car is a lot better than someone who is. second, it is rightfully illegal. third, who wants to kill for a stupid car.

as for shooting someone on your property, i have always heard that the body had better be inside your house. otherwise you will "have a lota 'splaining to do" as ricky ricardo would say.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Hmmm... I don't think they are going to be driving away with your 126 any time soon.... If you take a moment to look at your key you will notice that its the high security key thats nearly identical to the laser cut key my 140 has.... Punching the ignition is impossible on these cars as the ignition is made of brittle metal and is designed to break..... All of the under dash wiring is encased in a thick metal housing...... I would be more worried about people lurking around with a tow truck.......

As many owners have found out it takes a locksmith about 2-3 hours to replace a broken ignition tumbler in the event that it breaks in the dash.... It involves the dash being partially dissasembled and part of the ignition being cut out with a power saw....... If your ignition switch is acting funky its about $70 to get a tumbler matched to your VIN and takes about 10 minutes to replace it if you get it before it fails...... If you wait until it breaks the bill can easily top $700.

A kill switch would be a waste of time.... The car itself is VERY well protected from the factory...... Why do you think Honda's and Toyotas are top on the most stolen lists? They are easy to steal.... A Mercedes is easily worth twice its original sticker price in parts alone but they are so hard to steal the thieves leave them alone......